08/19/25 - #459

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Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • US Alcohol Consumption at Record Low as Health Concerns Rise, Survey Finds

  • Avoiding Ultraprocessed Foods Might Double Weight Loss

  • Toothpaste Made From Your Own Hair Could Help Repair and Protect Damaged Teeth. Scientists Discovered That Keratin Found in Hair Produces a Protective Coating That Mimics the Structure and Function of Natural Enamel When It Comes Into Contact With Minerals in Saliva

  • Massive Study of Nearly 400,000 People Has for the First Time Established a Causal Link Between Gut Bacteria and Insomnia, Confirming Research That Found Some Bugs Help You Sleep While Others Disrupt It. 14 Bacterial Taxa Were Found to Increase Risk of Insomnia, While 8 Appeared to Be Protective

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

US Alcohol Consumption at Record Low as Health Concerns Rise, Survey Finds

More Americans are cutting back on alcohol, and it may be due to rising concerns about health. A new Gallup survey shows that only 54% of U.S. adults say they drink alcohol. That’s the lowest number Gallup has recorded since it began tracking drinking habits in 1939. The previous low was 55% in 1958.

Drinking has steadily declined over the last few years. In 2023, 62% of Americans said they drank alcohol. That number dropped to 58% in 2024 and continues to fall.

One major reason: health concerns. For the first time, more than half of Americans (53%) now say that even moderate drinking is bad for your health. That’s up from 45% just a year ago. Experts warn that even small amounts of alcohol can raise the risk of several cancers.

People are not just drinking less often—they're also drinking smaller amounts. Only 24% of adults said they had a drink in the last day, and 40% said it’s been more than a week since their last drink. On average, Americans now have just 2.8 drinks per week, the lowest number since 1996.

Interestingly, the drop in alcohol use doesn’t seem to be linked to other substances. The rise of legal marijuana, for example, hasn’t led to a major shift from alcohol to cannabis.

As more people focus on health, it seems the habit of daily or weekly drinking is slowly fading away.

WEIGHT LOSS

Avoiding Ultraprocessed Foods Might Double Weight Loss

A new study shows that avoiding ultraprocessed foods may help people lose twice as much weight. Even when processed foods meet health guidelines, they don’t help as much as simple, whole foods.

Researchers studied 55 adults, mostly women ages 20 to 65, who were overweight. Most of them got two-thirds of their calories from ultraprocessed foods. These include frozen meals, flavored yogurt, cereal bars, and protein shakes.

Each person tried two diets for two months each. One diet was made of whole, minimally processed foods like fruit, plain yogurt, vegetables, chicken, and homemade pasta. The other diet had processed foods that still followed health rules.

People lost weight on both diets, but they lost more on the whole food plan—about four pounds versus two. They also lost twice as much body fat.

Why? Whole foods have fewer calories per bite and take more time to chew, which can help you feel full sooner. People also said they had fewer cravings and more control over their eating.

Even though this was a short study, it supports past research. Ultraprocessed foods may lead to overeating and make it harder to lose weight.

Experts say you don’t need to give up all processed foods. But cooking at home and eating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats can help.

Try simple swaps like fresh meals instead of frozen ones. These small changes may lead to bigger results—and better health over time.

HEALTH

Toothpaste Made From Your Own Hair Could Help Repair and Protect Damaged Teeth. Scientists Discovered That Keratin Found in Hair Produces a Protective Coating That Mimics the Structure and Function of Natural Enamel When It Comes Into Contact With Minerals in Saliva

A new study from King’s College London suggests that toothpaste made from your own hair could help fix and protect your teeth. Scientists found that keratin—a protein found in hair, skin, and wool—can rebuild tooth enamel and help stop early tooth decay.

When keratin touches minerals in saliva, it forms a coating that acts like natural enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth. Over time, this coating attracts calcium and phosphate from your saliva, helping build a strong, enamel-like layer.

This discovery could lead to a safer and more eco-friendly way to treat damaged teeth. Unlike current dental materials that often use plastics, keratin comes from natural sources like hair and wool. It’s biodegradable and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals.

Researchers say this method might help people who suffer from tooth sensitivity or enamel loss, which often comes with age, acidic foods, or poor oral hygiene. Since enamel can’t grow back on its own, this breakthrough offers a new way to support long-term oral health.

The team hopes this technology will be ready in the next couple of years. It could mean fewer fillings and more natural ways to care for your teeth—possibly using your own haircut to grow a healthier smile.

For adults over 45 looking to protect their teeth, this new research offers hope for a future where toothpaste does more than clean—it helps heal.

Massive Study of Nearly 400,000 People Has for the First Time Established a Causal Link Between Gut Bacteria and Insomnia, Confirming Research That Found Some Bugs Help You Sleep While Others Disrupt It. 14 Bacterial Taxa Were Found to Increase Risk of Insomnia, While 8 Appeared to Be Protective

A new study of nearly 400,000 people has found something surprising: certain gut bacteria may be keeping you awake at night.

Researchers from China’s Nanjing Medical University discovered a strong link between the bacteria in your gut and insomnia. They found that 14 types of bacteria may increase your risk of insomnia, while 8 others may actually help you sleep.

One group of bacteria, called Clostridium innocuum, stood out as the strongest risk factor. People with more of this bug in their gut were more likely to have trouble sleeping.

The study also showed that insomnia might feed back into your gut. Poor sleep can change your gut environment, helping the “bad” bugs grow—and making sleep even worse.

On the flip side, bacteria like Coprococcus, Lactococcus, and Odoribacter were linked to better sleep. These microbes help make brain-friendly compounds like serotonin and melatonin, which support restful sleep.

So, how can you grow more of the good ones?

  • Eat more fiber-rich plant foods: whole grains, leafy greens, beans, and berries

  • Add fermented foods: yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi

  • Limit processed foods that can throw off gut balance

This study adds to growing evidence that your gut health affects much more than digestion. If you’re struggling with sleep, looking after your gut may be a good place to start.

As always, talk with your doctor before making big changes. But your gut might just hold the key to a better night’s sleep.

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.